Keith Baldrey
Biden’s looming departure throws the U.S. presidential contest into massive uncertainty and the vote is less than three months from now. …Polls over the years have shown Trump is not popular in Canada and certainly not in B.C., but his support has inched up over time. …The difference in how [the leaders] are viewed by the Canadian electorate may more likely be based on personalities than policies. That’s because the most contentious of all U.S. policies that affect Canada and B.C. are usually related to foreign trade, and both Trump and Biden have had similar policies when it comes to protectionism. Trump greatly increased the number of economic tariffs and penalties on Canadian goods and Biden, for the most part, left them largely in place (his administration continued the decades-old softwood lumber dispute with B.C.). Harris, for her part, has voiced support for protectionist policies as well. Protectionist measures from both U.S. parties appear to be here to stay, much to Canada and B.C.’s potential detriment.
OTTAWA — The Competition Bureau has published guidance on what might constitute corporate greenwashing as it begins consultations over how it will implement Ottawa’s contentious new measures aimed at preventing false and misleading environmental claims. The bureau said goals and timelines for achieving environmental objectives such as reducing carbon emissions must be supported by clear and specific plans, and not just be aspirational. It also warned companies against trying to shield their green assertions with disclaimers. The agency issued the commentary on Monday as it launched a request for feedback to help it formulate plans for implementing the new measures, which some companies, industry associations and provincial governments have criticized for being vague and heavy-handed. The consultation period runs to Sept. 27. Bill C-59 contains the controversial amendment to the Competition Act that puts companies at legal risk for making environmental assertions that do not stand up to scrutiny. 
Observers expect Kamala Harris to follow U.S. President Joe Biden’s roadmap for America’s relationship with Canada as she moves to secure the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. “On the key things that matter for Canada-U.S. relations, her outlook is very similar to the president,” said Christopher Sands, director of the Canada Institute at the Woodrow Wilson Center in Washington. …Even so, Canadians have been reaching out to Democrats and Republicans alike. Top of mind is the looming review of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement in 2026. Harris was one of 10 U.S. senators to vote against the trade agreement, saying it didn’t do enough to protect American workers or the environment. …Softwood lumber and Canada’s digital services tax are key areas of contention for both Republicans and Democrats. Biden largely kept Trump’s tariffs in place, despite promises to reverse them. There has also been tension over the Biden administration’s Buy American procurement rules.
TORONTO – Today, the Canadian Mental Health Association is pleased to announce an initial $450,000 contribution from West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd., a leading Canadian manufacturer of renewable wood building products. The funding will bolster the Canadian Mental Health Association’s (CMHA) Resilient Minds® program and enhance mental health support in rural communities. This contribution reflects West Fraser’s commitment to fostering mental health awareness and resilience among its employees and the communities where it operates. The majority of West Fraser’s manufacturing facilities are located in rural communities which can potentially be isolating with limited locally available mental health resources. …”At West Fraser, we recognize the importance of prioritizing mental health and supporting the well-being of those in our communities,” says 
The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority says a new four-lane overpass crossing the rail lines at Holdom Avenue in Burnaby will increase rail capacity for Port of Vancouver terminals, supporting the reliable movement of goods through the region. Construction the overpass crossing the rail lines at Holdom Avenue in Burnaby will begin later this year. The Vancouver Fraser Port Authority is delivering the Holdom Overpass project in partnership with the City of Burnaby, CN and the Government of Canada. …The rail corridor through Burnaby is the only rail connection to transport goods and commodities to and from port terminals located in North Vancouver, a vital link in the national supply chain. …The rail corridor moves more than 40 million metric tonnes of export cargo, accounting for more than 40 per cent of the port’s total international exports in 2023.
